Contaminated nasal spray recalled

Bottles of a type of nasal spray used to treat allergies are the subject of a recall after two batches were discovered to contain bacteria.

The bacteria, which is usually present in soil and water, can cause fever, nasal or facial tenderness and discoloured mucus in people with nasal problems or who have recently had surgery.

The health watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said bottles of Sterimar Isotonic (100ml) were affected by the Pseudomonas stutzeri and Sphingomonas paucimobilis bacteria.

They added that healthy people were unlikely to experience nasal problems if they had used the spray.

While the manufacturer has recalled the batches, 2,452 cans of the nasal spray have not been returned.

In a statement on their website, the MHRA said if anyone who purchased and used the nasal spray "exhibit[ed] any of the symptoms...then they should consult a healthcare professional".

"The affected batches of nasal spray are FE1248b and FE1249. The batch number can be located on the product packaging and on the base of the can."

The MHRA site explained that the bacteria had "an extremely limited role as an infectious agent and human infections are rare".

"Most infections are associated with immunocompromised individuals. The infections can be treated with antibiotics."